Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) is a statewide non profit 501(c)3 organization that administers the Specialized Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program for citizens of Florida who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind and Speech Disabled. FTRI is also responsible for the education and promotion of the Florida Relay Service.

The Florida Legislature passed the Telecommunications Access System Act (TASA F.S. 427) in 1991. The intent of TASA is to provide basic telecommunications services for Hard of Hearing, Deaf, Deaf/Blind, and Speech Disabled individuals, in the most cost effective way possible. TASA mandates that the FTRI equipment distribution program and the Florida Relay Service be funded by a monthly surcharge billed to all telephone customers (landlines) in the State of Florida. The specialized telephone equipment and ring signaling devices provided through this program are loaned to all qualified permanent Florida residents for as long as they need it, at no charge.

The Center for Independent Living of Broward is a Regional Distribution Center (RDC) of FTRI. CIL distributes telephone equipment at no cost to permanent Florida residents certified as Hard of Hearing, Deaf, Deaf/Blind or Speech Impaired in need of this equipment to communicate more easily. CIL loans:

Phones that amplify incoming sound

Devices that alert you when the phone rings

Captioned telephones

Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD/TTY)

Braille TTY for Deaf/Blind individuals

Phones that amplify outgoing speech

If you or someone you know have trouble hearing on the telephone, then contact a FTRI staff member at (954) 722-6400 to schedule an appointment.